Washington (USA) 6 August 2022 (SPS)- The US Senate Appropriations Committee has taken new decisions brushing aside Morocco’s expansionist claims on Western Sahara, and forbidding to Department State to use any funds in the opening of a consulate in occupied territories.
The US Senate Appropriations Committee addressed the Western Sahara issue from three extremely important angles.
The first angle contained in the explanatory memorandum of the budget bill, sees the committee deals separately with the Western Sahara as a distinct territory aside from Morocco, brushing thus the Moroccan dream to see the US recognizing its illegal occupation.
The second angle consisted in urging “the Secretary of State to promote the establishment of a monitoring and reporting mechanism on the issue of human rights within the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara”.
While the third and last angle, consists in this committee recommending “that none of the funds allocated or made available by the 2023 finance law or previous laws can be used to support the construction or operation of an American consulate in Western Sahara.”
A measure that puts an end to Morocco’s ambitions to see the United States join the list of countries that have opened a consulate in the occupied Saharawi territories.
Following is the full paragraphs on Western Sahara in Page 76 of the Explanation Statement issued by the Committee:
“Western Sahara.—The Committee urges the Secretary of State to promote the establishment of a human rights monitoring and reporting mechanism within the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara.
The Committee recommends not less than the prior fiscal year level, within funds provided for the U.S.-Middle East Partnership Initiative, for programs to improve education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and for other assistance for the Western Sahara, and directs the Secretary of State to consult with the Committees on Appropriations on the planned uses of such funds.
None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by the act or prior acts may be used to support the construction or operation of a U.S. consulate in the Western Sahara.” (SPS0
090/500/60 (SPS)